it's me again- my message was too long so i had to split it- blue bit (beginning 'Hey Guys') comes first

What worries me though is that how would I explain this 24 month phd experience during which i learned nothing (apart from perfecting my 'how to stress myself to death' skills!!) to a future employer or even put it on my CV. And what about references, will supervisors be kind?. Then there is the fear of leaving books and academia for the first time ever (am a total geek) and facing the world of work, which am absolutely dreading.

Any comments or thoughts?

Angie

Hey guys,

Have just read your messages and feel so relieved that others also experience the PhD nightmare. Totally identified with your comments.(especially coastalchick). Like many of you, I too have had my supervisor leaving for a year and leaving me with a guy who had no clue nor cared, being in an isolating environment (I HATE the British Library) and cos it was a phd in history, being surrounded by competitive intimidating collegues and students. I still am to decide whether or not to return to the phd, (I took time off, thats how bad it was!!)- but in all likelihood i think i won't cos i think it will just get worse.

Hey guys,

Hope you all are well. I need your advice on a problem that is bothering me.

So here is the situation. I had to drop out of my history Phd (my 3rd year) last August because I was so stressed out by it but my university granted me a year's leave which ends this year on 31 May 2007. I am nowhere near ready to return to it in less than two months, still too shy,obsessed with what other academics think of me, not being good enough etc. I have tried to write down reasons why i should forget about the phd and there are many- namely, that I'm still really awkward, shy, can't approach people (not even my supervisors!!) and found the phd as an exremely isolating experience

But no matter how many times I try to be rational and see that it just won't work out, I still don't want to leave it because I have never failed anything academically and I do love studying.And then there is the obvious recognition thing of being a 'Dr'

What should I do?